DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM for FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES

FINDINGS

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVE ARCHIVES SEARCH REPORT FOR FORMER DESERT CENTER DIVISION CAMP DESERT CENTER, CALIFORNIA PROJECT NUMBER J09CA034201

September

1996

U.S. Engineering

Prepared For Army Corps of Engineers and Support Center, Huntsville ATTN: CEHNC-OE Huntsville, Alabama 35807-4301 Prepared By Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District ATTN: CENCR-ED-DO P.O. Box 2004 Island, Illinois 61204-2004

U.S.

Rock

and

Defense Ammunition Center ATTN: SIOAC-ES Savanna, Illinois 61074-9639

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVE ARCHIVES SEARCH REPORT FOR FORMER DESERT CENTER DIVISION CAMP DESERT CENTER, CALIFORNIA PROJECT NUMBER J09CA034201

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Function On-Site Assessment following Name *George Ofslager persons provided Title Q.A.Spec., Ammunition ( QASAS ) UXO Specialist support as indicated. Telephone (309) 794-6024 Organization CENCR-ED-DO

Nick Heleg-Greza Engineering Support Technical Library Geographic District Daniel Holmes Larry Search J.

CENCR-ED-DO

(309)

794-6056

Professional Engineer QASAS

CENCR-ED-DO

(309)

794-6080

Daulphin

SIOAC-ESL

(815)

273-8789

Greg Boghossian

Project Manager

CESPL-ED-MI

(213)

452-3722

Support
Industrial Hygiene CADD Support * Team Leader Bob Platt Industrial Hygienist Technician MCXM-PMA (309) 782-0806

Jim

Turner

CENCR-ED-DO

(309)

794-6072

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVE ARCHIVES SEARCHREPORT FOR FORMERDESERT CENTER DIVISION CAMP DESERT CENTER, CALIFORNIA PROJECTNUMBERJO9CAO34201
FINDINGS

Section
1. INTRODUCTION

Page
......................................... 1

a. b. 2.

Subject Scope

and Purpose
.............................. 2

PREVIOUS

INVESTIGATIONS

a. b. 3.
SITE
.

1994 Preliminary Assessment Other Investigations

DESCRIPTION ..................................... 3

E.

Existing Land Usage Climatic Data Topography C. d. Geology and Soils e. Hydrology f. Natural Resources Historical/Cultural Resources 53.
. . . . . . . . . .

4.

HISTORICAL ORDNANCE PRESENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chronological Site Summary Review of Ordnance Related Records Interviews with Site Related Personnel

C.

5.

SITE ELIGIBILITY ;: Confirmed Potential

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . Formerly Formerly Used Defense Used Defense Sites Sites

12

6.

VISUAL

SITE

INSPECTION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........

13

a. b.
C.

d. e. 7.

General Area A: Area B: Area C: Area D:

Procedures and Safety Hospital Possible Camouflage Area Possible Maneuver Area Water Point 16

EVALUATION

OF ORDNANCE HAZARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........

a. b.
C.

d. e.
a.

General Area A: Area B: Area C: Area D:

Procedures Hospital Possible Camouflage Area Possible Maneuver Area Water Point

SITE ORDNANCETECHNICAL DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 a. b. End Item Technical Data Chemical Data of Ordnance Fillers

9.

EVALUATION OF OTHER SITE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L.
M.

N.

REFERENCESOURCES REFERENCES AND ABSTRACTS GLOSSARY TEXTS/MANUALS REPORTS/STUDIES LETTERS/MEMORANDUMS/MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS REAL ESTATE DOCUMENTS NEWSPAPERS/JOURNALS INTERVIEWS PRESENT SITE PHOTOGRAPHS HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS REFERENCEMAPS/DRAWINGS ARCHIVE SEARCH REPORT CORRESPONDENCE REPORT DISTRIBUTION LIST

2-1 3-1 3-4 4-1 8-1 8-2

DERP FUDS PRELIMINARY

ASSESSMENT PROJECTS

CURRENT LAND OWNERS/USAGE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES CONTAMINATION AMMUNITION RECORDS FILLERS

USED AND EXPLOSIVE/CHEMICAL ORDNANCE FILLERS

SUMMARY OF SITE

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Site Facility Project Current Photo

Map Layout Areas Land Locations Ownership (1996) Records (1944-1967) (1996) (Circa 1944)

Contamination

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVE ARCHIVES SEARCH REPORT FOR FORMER DESERT CENTER DIVISION CAMP DESERT CENTER, CALIFORNIA PROJECT NUMBER J09CA034201 1. a. JXJCTIW Subject (1) and Purpose

This report presents the findings of a historical records search and site inspection for the presence of ordnance and explosive (OE) located at the Former Desert Center Division Camp, Desert Center, The California (See plate 1 for general location map). investigation was performed under the authority of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP FUDS). (2) The investigation were identified as the Former The site was used as a hospital from 1942 to 1944. (3) focused on 34,000 acres that Desert Center Division Camp. and possible maneuver area

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the site for potential OE contamination, to include conventional ammunition and chemical warfare The investigation was conducted by material (CWM). experienced ordnance experts through thorough evaluation historical records, interviews, and on-site visual inspection results. b. Scope

of

This report presents the site history, site (1) real estate ownership information, and description, confirmed ordnance presence (prior to and after site based on available records, interviews, site closure), The analyses provide a complete and analyses. inspections, evaluation of all information to assess current day potential ordnance contamination, where actual ordnance presence has not been confirmed.

(2) For the purpose of this report, OE contamination consists of live ammunition, ammunition components, CWM or explosives which have been lost, abandoned, discarded, buried, fired, or thrown from demolition pits or burning pads. These items were either manufactured, purchased, stored, used, and/or disposed of by the War Department/Department of Defense. Such ammunition/components are no longer under accountable record control of any DOD organization or activity. Expended small arms ammunition (caliber .50 or (3) smaller) is not considered OE contamination. OE further includes "explosive soil" which refers to any mixture in soil, sands, clays, etc., such that the mixture itself is explosive. Generally, 10 percent or more by weight of secondary explosives in a soil mixture is considered explosive soil. 2. a. 1994 Preliminary Assessment

A Preliminary Assessment of Desert center division camp was conducted under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angles District.

(1)

(2) Eligibility the site California document

At that time, the Finding and Determination of (FDE), dated 12 September 1994, concluded that located near Desert Center, Riverside County, had been formerly used by the War Department (See E-l).

The FDE concluded that there were eligible categories under the DERP FUDS program. Due to the fact that the site was used by the Army and identified as a division camp, an Ordnance and Explosives (OE) project was recommended, DERP FUDS Project Number J09CA034201, the principal subject of this report (See document E-2 and Table 2-l).

(3)

TABLE 2-1 DERP FUDS PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT PROJECTS

Project Number DERP Category HTRW Present Phase Comments None Recommended None Recommended None Recommended SI Ordnance and Explosive Contamination Entire Site 34,000 Acres (See Plate 1) Location

CON/HTRW

BD/DR

J09CA034201

OE

b.

Other

Investigations investigations pertinent to this site

were 3.

No other located. SITE a. Existing

Land Usage Division near Camp is the town of

located Desert

The Former Desert Center (1) in Riverside County, California Center (See plate 1).

(2) The 34,000 acres that made up the Former Desert center division camp are currently owned by the federal The vast government and several private individuals. majority of the site is desert managed by the Bureau of Land A small trailer park and golf course are Management (BLM). also on the site (See Table 3-l)..

TABLE 3-1
AREA
A

FORMER USAGE Hospital

CURRENT CURRENT OWNER BLM Golden Inc. Monkey

LAND OWNERS/USAGE CURRENT USAGE ACREAGE* Desert 956 Desert 89 10,201 155

COMMENTS See Plates 2, 3 and 4

Possible Camouflage Area

BLM 7 Private Parcels BLM 113 Private Parcels BLM

Desert Desert Mining Desert Desert Trailer Park Golf Course Desert

See Plates 2, 3 and 4

Possible Maneuver Area

16107 5211

See Plates 2, 3 and 4

Water

Point

1,281

See Plates 2, 3 and 4

* Indicates

approximate

acreage

TOTAL

34,000

b.

Climatic

Data

The regional climate is influenced by two main (1) sources of air movement. From fall through spring, the area is affected by a northern and middle latitude Pacific air movement which crosses the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As this moist air movement moves east from the Pacific, the mountains deplete the moisture creating a rain shadow effect over the Great Basin and Mojave deserts. During the summer and early fall months, a tropical air mass from the southern Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico dominate the region. The eastern portion of Riverside County is (2) characterized as an arid area with annual precipitation totaling less than four inches. An occasional thunderstorm can produce a sudden heavy rain shower with a resulting flash flood. These flash floods cascade swiftly and forcibly down the mountain side, eroding the surface and are dangerous to anyone caught in their path. (3) throughout The relative humidity is the year. The yearly early moderate morning to low average

reading is afternoons.

45 percent

which

drops

to

20 percent

in

the

hour

The normal desert (4) and blows from a southern (5)

wind speed or westerly

is 8 miles direction.

per

The average daily and seasonal temperatures for the Desert Center area are influenced by general air movement from the surrounding mountains and desert June and September have the highest monthly topography. temperature averages of 91 degrees Fahrenheit (OF) The 110 OF in the summer daily temperature can rise to above The monthly shade and drop into the 70 OF range at night. winter average temperatures range between 53 OF and 63 OF The winter evening temperatures can drop during the day. below freezing with strong winds that can result in an exposed flesh hazard (References B-2 and B-3).
C.

Topography

features of the Desert Center (1) The topographic area are typical of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province. This consists of large mountain ranges that are separated by broad alluvium filled valleys and dry lake beds. The primary mountain ranges that surround Desert Chuckwalla, Orocopi and Eagle Center are the Coxcomb, Mountains. An unnamed dry lake bed is on the site. The terrain features range from approximately (2) The slope 620 to over 2,000 feet in the higher elevation. of the terrain increases from 5 percent on the Chuckwalla Valley floor to over 20 percent on the alluvial plains. On the mountains, the slopes can exceed 45 degrees (Reference B-4). d. Geology and Soil

The soils around the site are of a dissected (1) Piedmont alluvial plain which formed over millions of years. These alluvia were formed when great land masses were uplifted due to tectonic plate shifting and volcanic action The bed rock is made forming the various mountain ranges. of granite produced by the extreme pressures of tectonic The rocky layers near the shifting and volcanic formations. which are porous rocks formed surface are mainly basalt, 5

from volcanic activities. This has been slowly chipping forming an immature sandy soil. This immature sandy away, soil is the predominate soil feature on this site. In a representative profile, the surface layer (2) covered by a close fitted pavement of gravel coated with dark brown to black desert varnish on top and tinted red or The nest layer is about one and a orange on the bottom. half inches of bleaches, pale brown, very gravelly silt loam. Underneath this layer lies an approximate fourteen in layer of light brown silty clay loam and very gravely clay loam. At a depth of about sixteen inches, the layers appear as light brown, very cobbly and gravely sine sandy loam which may extend to a depth of more than sixty inches (References B-2, B-4 and B-5). is Within three miles of the northwest corner of (3) the site is a large iron ore mine. This mine has been named, over time, the Briest, Eagle Mountain or Kaiser mine. Significant amounts of ore have been extracted from this mine (Reference B-6). e. Hydrology

The Desert Center area was no naturally occurring surface water. Numerous intermittent streams cross the site. Some subsurface water is present Chuckwalla Valley. Wells in the area of the site range from 409 to 808 feet depth (References B-5 and B-6).

in

f.

Natural

Resources

Based upon a 1980 BLM report (Reference B-6), the site contains habitat for Big Horned Sheep and crucial habitat for Desert Tortoises. The site was within the foraging range of the Golden Eagle. A number species of vegetation that were candidates at the time were also associated with the site. A current list of Threatened, Endangered, Proposed Candidate species for Riverside County is may be found at document F-l. During the site inspection, the assessment team noted the remains of a desert Tortoise.

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

CLASSIFICATION Wildlife TYPE Big Horned Desert Golden Vegetation Sheep COMMENT Habitat Endangered Foraging Previously candidate Previously candidate Coordinate intrusive SHPO Range identified species identified species all actions

Tortoise Eagle

Coryphantha vivipara alversonii var. Ditaxis California and 12

Historical

11 Structures Features

with

Archeological

14 Sites

Coordinate intrusive SHPO

all actions

with

53.

Historical/Cultural

Resources

The California Historical Resources Information System has conducted a cultural resources survey on a small This portion, approximately one percent, of the site. Numerous historic survey identified 14 archeological sites. Due to structures and features have also been identified. the site's use during the second world war, it is identified as State Historical Landmark 985 and is eligible for National Register status (Reference B-8). 4. KISTOKKAT, a. ORDWCE PRRSENCF, Site Summary

Chronological

This site is a small part of the California(1) The C-AMA was intended for Arizona Maneuver Area (C-AMA). At one point, C-AMA division and corps sized maneuvers. In she March 1942, involved twelve million acres of land. Major General Patton spent three days reconnoitering the southern portion of California for possible locations of Desert Center was one of the desert training sites. 7

locations selected for a division cantonment. Patton was favorably impressed with the C-AMA. There was adequate, if not abundant water. He rejected the suggestion that troops build storage tanks for water. They had no time to do anything, Patton said, except to learn to fight (Reference B-8). In April 1942, a permit to use public land in the area of Desert Center was acquired from the Department of the Interior (See documents F-2, G-l and G-2). An agreement was reached the Southern Pacific Company to use railroad sections in C-AMA free of charge (See documents G-2 and G-3). Some of these sections were within the Desert Center Division Camp (See document G-l).
(2)

Additional public land was desired by the military built camp sites. Another use permit was not considered appropriate, in that land claims could be filed by individuals if the land was not under the jurisdiction the War Department (See Document F-3). On 20 June 1942, additional public land was added to the Desert Center Division Camp under the jurisdiction of the War Department (See documents F-4 and G-l). (4) Despite the name of the site, an army division was not stationed at the site. Only rear area troops were encamped in and around the site (See F-5 and F-6). (5) On 1 April 1944, this site majority of C-AMA was declared surplus War Department (See document F-7). as well as the to the needs of

(3) to

of

the

The Interior Department was notified that the (6) land under the jurisdiction of the War Department was no longer needed by the military on 16 December 1944. The land acquired by permit was returned to the Interior Department on 19 April 1949 (See documents F-8, F-9 and G1). The Southern Pacific refused to accept the (7) lands within the division camp until all the railroad sections within C-AMA were dedudded (See document G-4). In 1956, the Southern Pacific accepted all of its land within C-AMA (See document G-5).

Since site closure, park have been built on a small prospecting and mining activity portion of the site.
(8)

a golf course and trailer Some portion of the site. has occurred on the northern

b.

Ordnance

Related

Record

Review

Research efforts began with a thorough review (1) historical documents and newspaper articles, of all reports, reference material gathered during the archival records an effort was made to focus on During the review, search. the area of potential OE contamination as described in the Inventory Project Report (INPR) (Reference B-l). When originally planned, this site was desirable due to the location of a possible camouflage area The and available water (See document L-l and plate 2). Army originally desired a compact area of two and one third except for water and mining claims (See sections of land, There must have been a number of land claims document L-2). pending, in that the land the Army acquired was oddly shaped and not compact. Only one of the sources of water available in the vicinity of Desert Center was located within the boundaries of the site (See Plate 2).
(2)

No division camp was built on the site (See (3) document F-5). The only units stationed at Desert Center were an evacuation hospital, an observer detachment, an a quartermaster truck unit and ordnance maintenance company, No ranges or Ammunition Depot. No. 1 (See document F-6). (See documents L-3 and L-4). impact areas were on the site Units were not particular were they established (4) Locations of the encampments were discovered their camps. inspect discussed later in the by interview and visual Two of the camps were located in the south half of report. The plat map Section 24, Township 5 South, Range 15 East. used by the BLM during the second world war does not show any permit issued to the military for use of this section It appears the camps were (See documents G-6 and G-7). established due to the close proximity of a water well (See plate 2) and the local BLM did not object. (5) An unknown Ordnance unit at Desert 1 (See documents Ammunition Depot No. 9 Center F-6 and F-

operated

10). The discovered interviews

location of the ammunition during the records search and site inspection. (6)

depot was not and the later

discussed

When all of the available historic maps and documents (See documents F-5, F-6, L-l and reference B-37 and B-38) are combined (See plate 2) some trends are noted. Divisions camps have a large soft surfaced road network not Other military activity tends to present on this site. centered around the road network and water sources available Unit camps, other than division camps, with at the time. officers of Colonel or higher are located at water points Units of next to hard surfaced roads and telephone lines. battalion size and smaller are located at water points near The site that is the subject of this any available road. report had a water point at the intersection of three based upon historic documents, unimproved roads. However, no known military activity occurred at this water point. The contamination records are presented in (7) Table 4-1 and on Plate 6. No documentation reviewed during the records search stated that any ordnance was discovered on the site or that any clearance effect was actually It appears that in September 1954, a decision conducted. was made to restrict all lands to surface use if evidence of In 1967, BLM notified inspection was not readily available. Los Angles District that such records existed of land within the boundaries of the Desert Center Division Camp (See document F-11). Los Angles District agreed that there was an error in the in the lands restricted (See document F-12) and removed the restriction (See documents G-6, G-7, G-8 and Today, the BLM does not consider any of the land G-9). contaminated.

10

Date
16 December 19 April 1944 Land in T5S,

TABLE 4-1 CONTAMINATION RECORDS Summary of Record

R15E relinquished. No statement made concerning OE. found to

See Document
F-8 F-9 Land examined and railroad sections. land inspected

1949

Land in be clear 1951

T5S, R14E and T4S, R15E relinquished. of OE. No statement made concerning and some railroad

Prior

to

October

Area around Evacuation Hospital certified clear for all uses. Land in T5S, R14E refused C-AMA is dedudded. by

and

L-5

12 March

1952

Southern

Pacific

until

all

railroad

land

in

G-4

20 September

1954

Affidavit filed T5S, R14E. Land in railroad

regarding

subsurface

OE contamination

in

T5S,

R15E and

G-12

11 January

1956

T5S, R14E accepted land in C-AMA. Los Angles

by Southern

Pacific

as well

as all

other

G-5

6 March

1967

BLM requests that Sll, T5S, RlSE.

District

reconsider

OE contamination

in

F-11

27 March

1967

Los Angles District notifies BLM that purposes. Los Angles District states 1954 contained errors with respect to BLM requests that S15, T5S, R15E. Los Angles purposes. District Los Angles District

Sll, T5S, R15E is suitable for all that the Affidavit of 20 September lands actually contaminated. reconsider OE contamination in

F-12

27 June

1967

F-13

13 July

1967

notifies

BLM that

S15,

T5S,

R15E is

suitable

for

all

F-14

9 October

1967

All land in T5S, R15E and T5S, by LOS Angles District.

R14E considered

suitable

for

all

purposes

G-6, G-8,

G-7 G-9

11

C.

Personnel

Interviews

(1) Efforts to locate individuals who had served or had first hand knowledge of the Desert center division camp when it was leased by the military were fairly successful. Interviews with those people listed in Appendix A (Reference Sources) of this report were performed, but for the most part these people had no first hand knowledge of what went on at the site during the time it was a range. (2) A life long resident of Desert Center was located. He was approximately twenty-five years old at the time of the C-AMA maneuvers. The assessment team showed him a topographic map with the boundaries of the Desert Center Division Camp highlighted. He stated that to his knowledge no firing had taken place within the highlighted area. He was able to locate the hospital on the map. He said that to his knowledge there were no other encampments within the area highlighted. He knew that there was an Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) in the general area of Desert Center and the had that it had been used for demolition operations. He attempted, but was unable, to locate the ASP on the map (See document I-l). (3) A individual who had collected artifacts in the desert around Desert Center was interviewed. The assessment team showed him a topographic map with the boundaries of the Desert Center Division Camp highlighted. He said that he once found a box of Caliber .45 ammunition on the surface in Section 4 of Township 5 South, Range 15 East. He said that compared to other C-AMA site, Desert Center had few military artifacts (See document I-2). Another individual who collects artifacts from (4) the local area was interviewed. He stated that he knew of no OE finds in the area of desert center (See document I-3). 5. SITE a. Confirmed Formerly Used Defense Site

confirmed report.

Former land usage by the War Department was (1) for the site as summarized in section 3a of this The approximately 34,000 acre site was used as a as 12

a hospital and possible second world war.

(2)

maneuver

area

by the

Army

during

the

By 1956, all acreage that had been acquired by Today, no the Department of Defense was relinquished. ownership of any part of the former Desert center division camp remains with the Department of Defense (See plate 4). b. Potential
Formerly

Used Defense

Sites

All acreage for this site was covered in the Finding dated 12 September 1994. and Determination of Eligibility, An ASP was present near the town of Desert Center during the second world war (See documents F-6, F-10 and I-l). A including use of available aerial diligent attempt, was made to locate the position of the ASP. photographs, However, the location of the ASP cannot be determined at this time. 6. VISUAL a. SITE General LNSPECTION Procedures and Safety

The primary task of the site inspection was to assess OE presence or potential due to use as a range and On-site burial or burning sites. possible demolition, inspection was limited to non-intrusive methods in that subsurface sampling was not authorized nor permitted.

(1)

to the on-site visit, a thorough review historical documents and available of all available reports, reference material gathered during the archival search was reviewed to ensure awareness of potential ordnance usage and types.
(2)

Prior

A site safety utilized by the assessment during the site inspection A pre-inspection briefing OE should only be handled
(3) (4)

plan was developed and was team to assure safety from injury of the facility (Reference B-47). was conducted which stressed that by military EOD personnel.

traveled to investigation the presence

members of the assessment team On 12 September, the former Desert Center Division Camp. An of this real estate was conducted to determine or absence of OE. 13

Real (5) by the assessment is managed by the fenced nor posted. b. Area A:

estate
team

BLM.

rights of entry were not obtained due to the fact that most of the land Privately owned parcels are neither

Hospital

The hospital was easily located based upon the (1) information provided by a life long resident. Numerous rock alignments were noted (See Photograph J-l and Plate 5). The alignments clearly showed the locations of the streets, tents and wards. Medical related refuse, such as bandage spools and a specimen bottle (See photograph J-2 and plate 5) was noted by the assessment team. (2) One group of alignments appeared to be a motor for the hospital. Debris included military vehicle and a solvent basin (See photograph J-3 and plate 5). was noted on the surface sites were noted by the

pool parts

No ordnance presence (3) of this area. No potential burial assessment team.

C.

Area

B:

Possible

Camouflage

Area

trails. trails

This area has numerous unimproved roads and (1) The assessment team traveled all the roads and in an attempt to discover any past military activity.

(2) Some of the hard surfaced roads that were present in 1943 have degraded in appearance; portions now appear to be no more than trails. The assessment team noted past mining and prospecting activity in this area (See photograph J-4 and plate 5). All of the roads and trails in this area appear to be associated with mining activities, water or power projects. Several cans that once contained black powder (3) were located by the assessment team (See photograph J-5 and plate 5). These cans are a commercial type for black powder commonly used for mining operations (See document D-2). In that they were located in washes down slope from the Eagle Mountain mine, it appeared to the assessment team that the cans were associated with past mining activity.
14

Particular attention was paid to the eastern (4) portion of this area in that an ASP was likely to have been No evidence of an ASP, such near that portion of the area. as a road network or rock alignments, was visually evident to the assessment team. No visible sign of past military activity (5) No ordnance presence was noted any type was observed. the surface of this area by the assessment team. No potential burial locations were noted. d. Area C: Possible This Maneuver Area of on

area is also has numerous unimproved roads and trails, but not to the extent as Area A (See J-7 and plate 5). The assessment team photograph J-6, traveled all the roads and trails in an attempt to discover All of the roads and trails in any past military activity. this area appear to be associated with mining activities, No indication of past military water or power projects. was noted by the assessment team. activity, of any type,

(1)

(2) A golf course and trailer park are located on the eastern border of this area. (See photograph J-8 and Particular attention was also paid to the eastern plate 5). portion of the area due to the possible presence of an ASP. or rock Again, no evidence as an ASP, such as a road network was visually evident to the assessment team. alignments, One individual told the assessment team that (3) The assessment he found a box of caliber .45 ammunition. team visited the location given in the interview and found no sign of any past military activity. The assessment team visited two camps east of (4) the site. The purpose of the visit was an attempt to determine if there were any firing lines that may have been One rock alignment use to project rounds into Area C. spelled out "496 MEDOCO" which translates as the 496th that repaired trucks. No Medium Ordnance Company, an outfit evidence of firing lines or firing positions was noted by The assessment team concluded that the assessment team. these camps were used by rear area troops (See photograph J9 and plate 5). 15

(4) No ordnance of Area C by the assessment were noted. e. Area D: Water Point

presence team.

was noted No possible

on the burial

surface areas

This area had a known source of water during (1) the second world war. If any training activity occurred on the site, this is the most logical area. Again, no sign of military activity was noted by the assessment team. The assessment team examined possible (2) for firing ranges (See photographs J-10, No OE was observed. natural J-11 and

backstops plate 5).

(3) A sanitary landfill, operated by Riverside County is located in this area (See photograph J-12 and plate 5). The assessment team examined the landfill and appears to be of recent origin. (2) No ordnance residue was noted on the assessment team. presence or other ordnance surface of this area by the

it

related

7.

FVAT,UBTION a. General
(1)

OF ORDmCF, Procedures

Each sub-site was evaluated to determine confirmed, potential, or uncontaminated ordnance presence. Confirmed ordnance contamination is based on verifiable historical evidence or direct witness of ordnance items since site closure. Verifiable historical record evidence consists of ordnance items located on site and documented local bomb squads, EOD teams, newspaper articles, correspondence, current findings, ect. Direct witness of ordnance items consists of the inspection team directly locating ordnance items by visual inspection. Additional field data is not needed to identify a confirmed site.
(2)

by

lack of Potential

Potential ordnance contamination is based on a confirmed ordnance presence since site closure. ordnance contamination is inferred from record. 16

Inference from historical records would include common practice in production, storage, usage or disposal, at that time, which could have allowed present day ordnance contamination. Potential ordnance contamination could also be based on indirect witness or from present day site features. Additional field data is needed to confirm potential ordnance sub-sites. Uncontaminated ordnance sub-sites are based on (3) a lack of confirmed potential ordnance contamination. Additional field data is not needed to assess uncontaminated ordnance sub-sites. b. Area A: Hospital

This area is uncontaminated. Based upon historical this area was used exclusively research and the site visit, There have been no reports of OE as a hospital. contamination since site closure.
C.

Area

B:

Possible

Camouflage

Area

This area is uncontaminated. The only historical evidence of any military use was one map that designated the There has been a fair area as a possible camouflage area. amount of mining activity in this area with no reports of OE The is no visual evidence of presence since site closure. any military activity in this area and no reports of OE presence since site closure. d. Area C: Possible Maneuver Area Based area upon does

historical appeared

This area is uncontaminated. (1) research and the site visit, to have been used.

this

not

.45 ammunition was reported (2) A box of caliber to have been found in this area by an artifact collector. It is not clear that this box was under military control It is possible the box when it was placed in the desert. was lost by a military unit during a road march or maneuver, The location described but this would be an isolated event. by the artifact collector had no sign of military use.

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It is within the realm of possibility that a (3) caliber .45 range, either pistol or sub-machinegun, was located in this area. These types of ranges were the smallest ranges used by the Army in 1943 and were very easy to construct. Rear area units could have used such a range for qualify with personal defense weapons. It is also possible that the assessment team did not locate this range due to its small size and primitive nature. The next smallest range, typical at the time, was a caliber .30 carbine range. This type of range would have had clear firing lines 100 and 200 yards from a backstop of some sort. This type of range would have been close to a road. A carbine range would have been detected by the assessment team. In any case, expended small arms ammunition is not considered OE. (4) Other than the one individual who told the assessment team about a box of small arms ammunition found in the area, there have been no reports of OE presence since site closure.
e.

Area

D: Water

Point is no was used. since site

This area is uncontaminated. There historical or visual evidence that this area There have been no reports of OE contamination closure. 8. SITE a. ORDVTECHNICAT, End Item Technical l7m Data

The only ammunition that has been associated (1) with this site is the caliber .45 ball cartridge, M1911. Table 8-1 has been developed to establish the filler of this ordnance item.

Caliber

.45

Ball,

Ml911

Smokeless 5 grains

Powder

Propellant,

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b.

Chemical

Data

of

Ordnance

Fillers to provide used in the information ordnance

Table 8-2 has been developed on the explosive/chemical compounds cited in Table 8-l.

Compounds
Smokeless Powder Various % of Nitrocellulose Dinitrotoluene Dibutylphalate Diphenylamine FNH, NH Nitrocotton DNT Gelling Agent DPA; Stabilizer [c,H,(oH) (oNo,),l. m=0,1,2,3 C,H,CH, (NO,), C,H, (CO,C,H,) 2 (C,H,) ,m

9.

JWAT,I.KUON

-OTHERSITE hazards at the than those already

There are no known other environmental Former Desert center division camp other addressed by the Los Angles District.

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